3/5 stars
Knopf Books for Young Readers, 2013
277 pages
YA Historical
Source: Received an e-ARC via Netgalley in exchange for an honest review.
This book was not on my radar until I saw a couple of positive reviews from bloggers I adore (see below). Then I was desperate for a copy and am pleased to share my thoughts with you today though the book was not as strong for me as it was for those reviewers.
I think my big difficulty was the writing style. It is very literary with many evocative passages bringing to life all the life in this Australian town, human, animal, and plants alike. And I could not get into it. I am a reader who tends to prefer a more commercial straightforward style but can appreciate more elevated writing on occasion; this was not one of those occasions. Additionally the first part of each chapter is in italics to indicate that it takes place in the present while the longer non-italicized part is sort of a flashback leading up to the events in italics. I had so much trouble with this formatting. It made perfect sense but it was hard to read.
There are actually kind of three stories: the italicized part featuring cops looking for a missing/dead girl, the bulk of the book following the ups and downs of a friendship between Rose and Pearl as the former makes the titular dress for the annual Harvest Festival, and the life story of Edie Baker, the seamstress teaching Rose how to sew and create. By far my favorite parts were the flashbacks and insights into Edie's life though I still can't quite see the point. Sure I found it interesting but juxtaposing it against the lives of Rose and Pearl really didn't add much clarity for me.
Something I found surprising, though it shouldn't have been as I had read other reviews mentioning this, is that this story is set in 1986. It didn't feel like it was set today being that there were no mentions of cell phones or computers but other than a reference to a worldwide event in 1986 and brief mentions of Edie's family's history, the book doesn't seem very set in a particular time. The setting though is quite distinct as mentioned above especially describing the lush natural world around them, not that I was much interested.
Something I didn't find surprising was the ultimate resolution. I figured out pretty quickly what would be revealed about that girl and I didn't want my suspicions confirmed. I also found the very end frustrating and heartbreaking-all one character wants is X to happen but for reasons, it never will.
Overall: Alas this book and I just did not click as the writing style did not fit my mood. I also think I might have been better off reading a happier tale at this point but what can you do?
Other Opinions:
Jen Ryland/YA Romantics
The Flyleaf Review
Oh, I dislike long passages of italics.
ReplyDeleteYeah it was usually a page to two and it was just difficult for me to concentrate.
DeleteAwe, I was thinking that because it sounded so good it would be. I think it sounds like one that I will keep an eye out for at my library. :)
ReplyDeleteWell it just wasn't to my taste; it's much more literary than I typically like.
DeleteMaybe it makes me a lazy reader, but I don't care for books that make me work to hard to "get it". I don't mind something a bit challenging, but I want to get to the end and feel that the work was worth it.
ReplyDeleteI know others have felt it was worth it; I just didn't feel that.
DeleteI often find it difficult to enjoy books written in that elevated style but this sounds even more problematic with the italicized parts. I think that would pull me out of the story. It is surprising that the book is set in the 80s too. I wouldn't have guessed that from the description.
ReplyDeleteI guess you'd need to be patient and in the right frame of mind to enjoy this book and I think for now I will be skipping it. Give me a nice straightforward historical romance or mystery or YA contemporary any day instead!
I couldn't believe the 80s part either; it doesn't play that big of a role except for the lack of cell phones. A different reader would probably appreciate this more than me-I like more commercial fiction.
DeleteThe book sounds very confusing, to be honest o.O I'm sorry you didn't love it, but glad you enjoyed it still :) Great review. <3 Not heard of it before now, but not going to read it (A) though the cover is pretty :)
ReplyDeleteI read it after the recommendation of some of my blogging buddies and wish I loved it as much as them but it's just not my thing.
Delete*cries* Sad that you didn't like this one. I LOVED it. I know that you're not a fan of YA literary (funny, because you do read a ton of classics) so I guess I am not completely shocked.
ReplyDeleteJen @ YA Romantics
I didn't expect to love this because YA literary just doesn't seem to work for me. I don't know why but very few are successful reads.
DeleteInteresting to think of anyone deciding to set a book in 1986. It's not an era I'm particularly eager to read about, but I do like books with Australian settings. However, I'm not a fan of split narratives. I tend to find a favorite part and suffer through the others, with bad grace. I don't know how I'll be able to decide about this one!
ReplyDeleteThe italicized part is very short and I certainly suffered through those parts to get to the meat of the story.
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